HP RC3000 Horizontal, Vertical Satgalaxy Neutreal, Select Polarization Bkspnone, Azim Locate

RC3000 Antenna Controller Chapter 3 Detailed Operation

3.2.2.3.2 LOCATE Automatic Movement

Before automatic movement to the calculated position is initiated, the RC3000 requests that a polarization position be selected. This is so the polarization mechanism will be in the correct position to be able to detect received signal strength.

Note: this selection is not requested if the polarization configuration is defined as “circular” or if the polarization automove is disabled via the polarization configuration screen (3.3.1.2.4). In this case the RC3000 will only request that the user press the BKSP key to confirm that the automatic LOCATE movement is to proceed.

H-HORIZONTAL:		85.4	LOCATE
V-	VERTICAL:	-4.6	SAT:GALAXY 7
8-	NEUTREAL:	40.4	<MODE>MENU
<H/V/8> SELECT		POLARIZATION	<BKSP>NONE

The RC3000 calculates the vertical polarization position as a function of mount latitude/longitude and satellite longitude. The horizontal position is calculated as 90 degrees from the vertical in the direction (Clockwise/Counter-Clockwise) that will maintain the horizontal position within the polarization axis’ range of movement. The “neutral” position represents the polarization angle halfway between the calculated vertical and horizontal values. The neutral position may be appropriate if the autopeak function is using the L-Band detector (RF) input for signal strength observation. If the user does not want a polarization movement to be performed for this LOCATE, pressing the BKSP key will initiate the elevation and azimuth automatic movements but a polarization movement will not be performed.

NOTE: If the polarization calculation determines that the correct orientation is outside the polarization axis’ limits, the target position will be achieved by moving the position by 90 degrees. This situation is annotated by placing an “*” next to the calculated horizontal and vertical positions. The user may need to “flip” a waveguide switch in this case.

Immediately following the polarization selection, the RC3000 will begin moving to the calculated position. The progress of the movement is displayed on the following screen.

AZIM:	0.0	(	-5.9)	LOCATE
ELEV: -61.7		(	44.8)	SAT:GALAXY 7
POL:	0.0	( -45.0)

MOVING TO (TARGETS) <STOP>HALT MOTION

The current angular values for az/el/pol are displayed along with the target position for each axis in parenthesis. The label for the current axis being moved will flash. Movement may be halted at any time by pressing the Stop key. Halting movement will return the controller to the MANUAL mode.

The first automatic movement will be in the elevation axis to ensure that the mount is brought out of the elevation stow and down regions. The next movement will be in the polarization axis to ready the feed system to detect signal strength. If enabled, tilt compensation (3.2.2.3.6) movements will be performed.

The final movement will be in the azimuth axis. How this movement is accomplished depends on whether the autopeak system (see Autopeak Configuraion 3.3.1.2.6) is enabled and whether the selected satellite is described as having an inclined orbit or not.

If the autopeak system is not enabled, the LOCATE mode will finish by moving to the nominal target azimuth position. A final movement to the target elevation will also be performed to account for change in mount elevation due to vehicle tilt. Following this movement, the controller will return to MANUAL mode where the user should peak up and confirm the identity of the satellite.

If the autopeak system is enabled, an azimuth scanning autopeak movement (see 3.2.2.3.3) will be performed if the selected satellite does not have an inclined orbit. If the satellite does have an inclined orbit a spiral search movement (see 3.2.2.3.4) will be performed. For both autopeak movements to be successful, the user is required to have the receiving equipment (prior to the movement) configured for the RC3000 to be able to detect signal strength.

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